If you’ve taken out a credit card in the last 10 years, it’s worth checking if you were sold card protection with it, as you could be one of two million people in line for compensation.

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Card protection schemes cover fraudulent use if a card is lost or stolen and typically cost £25 a month. However, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has found that they are often not necessary as the customer’s bank or card issuer typically takes responsibility for this anyway.

As a result, anyone who has bought card protection with one of the Affinion International Limited product names listed below will be able to submit a claim for compensation:

To qualify, you’ll need to have applied for or renewed your credit card since January 2005.

How much compensation will you get?

The amount of compensation you receive will depend on how long you have had the card protection for, the number of claims received and how valuable card holders find the protection to be.

What to do if you’re affected

If you think you are entitled to compensation, here’s what you need to do:

1. Wait for forms to be sent to you

The first step is easy – you don’t need to do anything as compensation forms will be sent out by post to relevant card holders during August and September.

If, however, you have not received your forms by the end of September and think you should have, contact the AI Scheme helpline on 0800 678 1930 (outside the UK dial +44 208 475 3103).

2. Consider whether you still want card protection

If you still have a card protection product, consider whether you want to keep the benefits that come with it. If you go ahead with a compensation claim, your card protection will be cancelled.

3. Complete and return original forms

If you decide to proceed with your claim, all relevant sections need to be filled out on the form. Sign and date it and send back the original form in the envelope provided (photocopies will not be accepted) before March 18, 2016.

There’s no need to use a claims management company or legal service to help you with your application.

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